Cary-Grove outslugs Hampshire
Judging from history, Cary-Grove softball coach Tammy Olson figured it would take a lot of runs to defeat host Hampshire on Friday afternoon.
She was right.
Jump-started by 6 runs in the second inning, the Trojans held off a power surge by the Whip-Purs in posting a 12-7 win.
"The wind is always blowing here and you have to keep scoring," said Olson. "I knew our 6 runs early wouldn't be enough. We have had some high-scoring crazy games, like 15-13. We swung bats up and down the lineup on a consistent basis."
The Trojans' 6-run outburst in the second inning, which was aided by 3 Hampshire errors, was propelled by a 2-run single by Sarah Purpura along with RBI singles from Grace Pilz and Alyssa Gurgone.
The Trojans added 2 more runs in the third on a RBI double by Colleen Kaveney and a run-scoring single by Molly MacDuff to take a 8-0 lead.
Hampshire (2-5), playing without sophomore standout Peyton DeChant (knee injury), utilized the long ball to get back in the game.
A 3-run homer by Lauren Eggers in the third made the score 8-3.
The Trojans scored 2 more in the fifth, keyed by an RBI double by Pilz.
The Whip-Purs refused to give in and scored 3 in the fifth on a 2-run homer by Melissa Esparza and a run-scoring by Aly Snyder.
Hampshire scored a run in the sixth on a solo homer by Ellie Lapi.
The Trojans added 2 insurance runs in the seventh on a solo homer by Brianne Prank and a sacrifice fly by Kristi Isola.
Pilz paced the offensive onslaught for the Trojans with 3 hits, 2 doubles, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.
"I have been struggling with inside pitches and have really been working on that," said Pilz. "I felt I adjusted and handled the inside pitches and got some in some good swings."
The Trojans, who pounded out 13 hits, got 3 hits and an RBI from Rachel Langner.
Despite giving up 7 runs on 10 hits, including 3 homers, Caitlyn Adans picked up the win for Cary-Grove. She struck out eight with 1 walk.
Hampshire, which was hindered by 5 errors, collected 10 hits, led by Haley Widmayer, Lapi and Eggers with 2 each.
"Our lack of experience has really hurt our defense," said Hampshire coach Stacey Stepek. "When the ball is hit our kids are thinking about it too much and not just making the plays. We need more focus."